Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand 😐
Det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark
og det er Frejas sal 😐
Der sad i fordums tid
de harniskklædte kæmper,
udhvilede fra strid 😐
Så drog de frem til fjenders mén,
nu hvile deres bene
bag højens bautasten 😐
Det land endnu er skønt,
thi blå sig søen bælter,
og løvet står så grønt 😐
Og ædle kvinder, skønne møer
og mænd og raske svende
bebo de danskes øer 😐
Hil drot og fædreland!
Hil hver en danneborger,
som virker, hvad han kan! 😐
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå 😐
Free metrical translation
There is a lovely land
with spreading, shady beech-trees,
Near salty eastern shore 😐
Its hills and valleys gently fall,
its name is ancient Denmark,
And it is Freya’s hall. 😐
There in the ancient days
sat armoured giants rested
Between their bloody frays 😐
Then they went forth the foe to face,
now found in stone-set barrows,
Their final resting place. 😐
This land is still as fair,
the sea is blue around it,
And peace is cherished there 😐
Strong men and noble women still
uphold their country’s honour
With faithfulness and skill. 😐
Hail king and fatherland!
Hail citizens of honour,
who do the best they can 😐
Our ancient Denmark shall remain,
as long as beech tops mirror
in waves of blue their chain! 😐
Literal translation
There is a lovely country
it stands with broad beech-trees,
near the salty eastern shore
It bends itself in hill, valley,
its name is old Denmark
and it is the hall of Freya.
There sat in former times,
the armour-suited warriors,
rested from conflict
Then they went forward to the enemies’ injury,
now their bones are resting
behind the mound’s menhir.
That country is still lovely,
because the sea waves so blue frolic,
and the foliage stands so green
And noble women, beautiful maidens,
and men and brisk swains
inhabit the Danes’ islands.
Hail king and fatherland!
Hail every honourable citizen,
who works, what he can
Our old Denmark shall endure,
as long as the beech-tree mirrors
its top in the blue wave!